The first race for Lotus Cup Europe as an FIA International Series took place at the Nürburgring this weekend and saw victories for V6 powered machinery.

Belgium’s Greg Rasse swapped the lead with French 2-Eleven driver Jeremy Lourenço several times before taking the opening race win of 2013. The 2-Eleven of Xavier George completed the podium in third place. Meanwhile Anthony Fournier took the Exige Cup class honours on his series debut from Dave Carr and Jean Baptiste Loup.

In the V6 class Nick Walker recorded his best ever finish with fifth place overall and second in class, whilst Dane Nikolaj Ipsen took third place in the category with another Exige. The Production class saw fantastic battles between Thomas Dehaibe, Laurent Feve and Charlotte Burridge.

In the second encounter Rasse fought a close battle with Jon Walker’s Exige V6 Cup before the latter managed to open up an unassailable lead. Lourenço took another podium position with third after fighting with a number of cars, making for a hugely impressive weekend which has resulted in the Frenchman leading the championship standings.

Fournier was unable to repeat his Exige class win when Ferrer overtook for the place, whilst Carr was third. Series regular Philippe Loup was second in the 2-Eleven class, with Christophe Lisandre in third. The Production category result was repeated with Dehaibe taking victory from Feve and Burridge.